Meaning of Tonart in Music
In music, **Tonart** refers to the key or mode in which a piece of music is written. It determines the tonal center and the set of pitches used in the composition. The choice of Tonart has a significant impact on the overall mood and character of the music.
One example of the use of Tonart is found in Beethoven's work. In his String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132, Beethoven titled the third movement "Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit, in der lydischen Tonart" ("Holy Song of Thanksgiving by a Convalescent to the Divinity, in the Lydian Mode"). This demonstrates how Tonart can be used to convey a specific emotional or expressive quality in a composition.
The Lydian mode, mentioned in the context of Tonart, is a musical scale that has a raised fourth scale degree compared to the major scale. It has a unique and somewhat futuristic sound and has been used popularly in various compositions, including the theme songs of "The Simpsons" and "The Jetsons" cartoons.
It is worth noting that the term Tonart is often used in German-speaking countries, while the term "key" is more commonly used in English-speaking countries to refer to the same concept.
References:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Leave a Reply